The 25-year old, very much second choice to Argentine defender Pablo Zabaletta at the Etihad Stadium, has made a meager nine appearances for the Citizens this season and has piqued the interest of Liverpool in the past – though City don’t look to be interested in letting Richards out to play deeming themselves not deep enough in his position. Although this has come somewhat out of the Sky Blue, this is a rumour that could carry some weight.
First off, Liverpool needs a fullback; we’ve been linked with a pie in the sky move for Barcelona youngster Martin Montoya, but with the reality that’s he’s not about to move this winter hitting home, the Reds will need to focus their attention on a more attainable – but still promising – target. With both Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique laid up, Rodgers needs some experience on the flanks. Although their own youngster, Jon Flanagan, has been promising, on-loan Valencia defender Aly Cissokho has looked shakey from the word GO, and with Flanagan proving that he can switch sides, Richards could be tapped to fill in on the right while Johnson is getting patched up.
Secondly, it’s a World Cup year; nine appearances don’t get you on a plane to Brazil, and no matter how daft you think England boss Roy Hodgson is, he’s not quite stupid enough to bring along a Manchester City reject no matter how promising he used to be. If Richards actually cares about playing on the World’s biggest stage, he’s going to push for a move – if not to Liverpool, then to somewhere else.
Stay tuned…
